Chest Ultrasound

(Chest Ultrasonography, Chest Wall Ultrasonography, Chest Sonography)

Procedure overview

What is a chest ultrasound?

A chest ultrasound is a noninvasive (the skin is not pierced) procedure used to assess the organs and structures within the chest, such as the lungs, mediastinum (area in the chest containing the heart, aorta, trachea, esophagus, thymus, and lymph nodes), and pleural space (space between the lungs and the interior wall of the chest). Ultrasound technology allows quick visualization of the chest organs and structures from outside the body. Ultrasound may also be used to assess blood flow to chest organs.

A chest ultrasound uses a handheld probe called a transducer that sends out ultrasonic sound waves at a frequency too high to be heard. When the transducer is placed on the chest at certain locations and angles, the ultrasonic sound waves move through the skin and other body tissues to the organs and structures of the chest. The sound waves bounce off the organs like an echo and return to the transducer. The transducer picks up the reflected waves, which are then converted into an electronic picture of the organs.

Different types of body tissues affect the speed at which sound waves travel. Sound travels the fastest through bone tissue, and moves most slowly through air. The speed at which the sound waves are returned to the transducer, as well as how much of the sound wave returns, is translated by the transducer as different types of tissue.

Prior to the procedure, clear, water-based gel is applied to the skin to allow for smooth movement of the transducer over the skin and to eliminate air between the skin and the transducer.

By using an additional mode of ultrasound technology during an ultrasound procedure, blood flow within the chest can be assessed. An ultrasound transducer capable of assessing blood flow contains a Doppler probe. The Doppler probe within the transducer evaluates the velocity and direction of blood flow in the vessel by making the sound waves audible. The degree of loudness of the audible sound waves indicates the rate of blood flow within a blood vessel. Absence or faintness of these sounds may indicate an obstruction of blood flow.

Ultrasound may be safely used during pregnancy or in the presence of allergies to contrast dye, because no radiation or contrast dyes are used.

Other related procedures that may be used to help diagnose problems in the chest include chest X-ray, chest fluoroscopy, computed tomography (CT scan) of the chest, lung biopsy, pleural biopsy, lung scan, mediastinoscopy, pulmonary angiogram, and positron emission tomography (PET scan). Please see these procedures for additional information.

Anatomy of the respiratory system

The respiratory system is made up of the organs involved in the interchanges of gases, and consists of the:

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Nose

Pharynx

Larynx

Trachea

Bronchi

Lungs

The upper respiratory tract includes the:

Nose

Nasal cavity/nasopharynx

Ethmoid

Frontal sinuses

Maxillary sinus

Sphenoid sinuses

Oral cavity/oropharynx

Larynx

Trachea

The lower respiratory tract includes the lungs, bronchi, and alveoli.

What are the functions of the lungs?

The lungs take in oxygen, which cells need to live and carry out their normal functions. The lungs also get rid of carbon dioxide, a waste product of the body's cells.

The lungs are a pair of cone-shaped organs made up of spongy, pinkish-gray tissue. They take up most of the space in the chest, or the thorax (the part of the body between the base of the neck and diaphragm).

The lungs are enveloped in a membrane called the pleura.

The lungs are separated from each other by the mediastinum, an area that contains the following:

The heart and its large vessels

Trachea (windpipe)

Esophagus

Thymus

Lymph nodes

The right lung has three sections, called lobes. The left lung has two lobes. When you breathe, the air enters the body through the nose or the mouth. It then travels down the throat through the larynx (voice box) and trachea (windpipe) and goes into the lungs through tubes called main-stem bronchi.

One main-stem bronchus leads to the right lung and one to the left lung. In the lungs, the main-stem bronchi divide into smaller bronchi and then into even smaller tubes called bronchioles. Bronchioles end in tiny air sacs called alveoli.

Reasons for the procedure

A chest ultrasound may used to assess the presence of excess fluid in the pleural space or other areas of the chest, especially when the amount of fluid is small. If excess fluid is present, ultrasound may be useful to determine the type of fluid, exudate (seen in inflammatory, cancerous, or infectious conditions) or transudate (fluid that has leaked from blood or lymph vessels for various reasons). It can also be used to evaluate the heart and its valves. When used for this purpose, the procedure is called an echocardiogram.

Chest ultrasound may be performed to guide a needle during thoracentesis (puncture of the chest wall for the removal of fluids) or biopsy. Another use of chest ultrasound is to assess the movement of the diaphragm.

Chest ultrasound may be used along with other types of diagnostic methods, such as CT scanning, X-rays, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for evaluation and diagnosis of conditions of the chest.

There may be other reasons for your physician to recommend a chest ultrasound.

Risks of the procedure

There is no radiation used and generally no discomfort from the application of the ultrasound transducer to the skin.

There may be other risks depending on your specific medical condition. Be sure to discuss any concerns with your physician prior to the procedure.

Severe obesity may interfere with a chest ultrasound.

Before the procedure

Your physician will explain the procedure to you and offer you the opportunity to ask any questions that you might have about the procedure.

If an invasive procedure, such as a biopsy is to be done in conjunction with the chest ultrasound, you may be asked to sign a consent form that gives permission to do the procedure. Read the form carefully and ask questions if something is not clear.

Generally, no fasting or sedation is required before the procedure, but your physician may give your specific instructions if this is necessary.

If you are pregnant or suspect that you may be pregnant, you should notify your physician.

Dress in clothes that permit access to the area to be tested or that are easily removed. Although the gel applied to the skin during the procedure does not stain clothing, you may wish to wear older clothing, as the gel may not be completely removed from your skin afterwards.

Based upon your medical condition, your physician may request other specific preparation.

During the procedure

A chest ultrasound may be performed on an outpatient basis or as part of your stay in a hospital. Procedures may vary depending on your condition and your physician's practices.

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Generally, a chest ultrasound follows this process:

You will be asked to remove any clothing, jewelry, or other objects that may interfere with the scan.

If you are asked to remove clothing, you will be given a gown to wear.

You will be positioned on an examination table, either lying on your back or side, or sitting up with your arms raised and your hands clasped behind your neck, depending on the specific area of the chest to be examined.

A clear gel will be placed on the skin over the area to be examined.

The transducer will be pressed against the skin and moved over the area being studied.

You may be asked to shift positions so that the technologist can obtain other views. You also may be asked to cough or sniff during the procedure, so that the movement of certain structures within the chest cavity can be observed.

If blood flow is being assessed, you may hear a "whoosh, whoosh" sound when the Doppler probe is used.

Once the procedure has been completed, the gel will be wiped off.

While the chest ultrasound procedure itself causes no pain, having to remain still for the length of the procedure may cause slight discomfort, and the clear gel will feel cool and wet. The technologist will use all possible comfort measures and complete the procedure as quickly as possible to minimize any discomfort.

After the procedure

Generally, there is no special care following a chest ultrasound. However, your physician may give you additional or alternate instructions after the procedure, depending on your particular situation.

Online resources

The content provided here is for informational purposes only, and was not designed to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease, or replace the professional medical advice you receive from your physician. Please consult your physician with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.

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